Entertainment Software Association or the ESA announced regarding E3 2020
After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry—our fans, our employees, our exhibitors, and our longtime E3 partners—we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles
E3 2020 has officially been cancelled due to coronavirus, ESA still planning an "online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020" https://t.co/vGmZ5kZmBu pic.twitter.com/1oguXoO1S6
— GoNintendoTweet (@GoNintendoTweet) March 11, 2020
Why was the E3 2020 Cancelled
EA cites “growing concerns over COVID-19 virus” in canceling this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. The organization says it is “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience
E3 2020 officially canceled by the ESA.
Expect online events this year. In the meantime, everyone be safe out there 👊 #xbox #playstation #e3 #E32020 #E3Cancelled
https://t.co/QDuoTBGmDF— DEALER (@Dealer_Gaming) March 11, 2020
Also there was another ESA statement that was announced . It read.
“Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today. Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.”
a post from Square Enix on the cancellation
Hints for the cancellation
Shortly after the ESA’s statement, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer offered an assurance on Twitter that
Well, E3 2020 has officially been cancelled, Phil Spencer announced a digital Xbox event will be happening because of this, other publishers following suit. We also have some talk of Sony revealing some PS5 news before April 🤔 https://t.co/LcFknilmvM pic.twitter.com/RqQ4IdvJoN
— MBG (@xMBGx) March 11, 2020
- Multiple sources familiar with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA)’s plans have confirmed to Ars Technica that the organization, which is responsible for the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), will soon cancel the three-day expo.
- Like in previous years, E3 2020 was scheduled to play out in early June as a three-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
- Shortly after we received the tip, indie game publisher Devoloper Digital posted a brief, impacting message on Twitter: “Cancel your E3 flights and hotels”
E3 organizer ESA told GameSpot: "After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry–our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners–we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020"
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— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) March 11, 2020
The Statement by ESA
the ESA statement reads.
“Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today. Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.”
Sony’s withdrawal may have made a big impact
E3’s cancellation came after Sony Interactive Entertainment already said it would skip the event for the second year in a row — but it wasn’t a decision prompted by the corona virus situation. In January 2020, Sony said “we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year.” The gaming giant was preparing to release the next-generation PlayStation 5 console, which was set to arrive in time for the 2020 holiday shopping season.
Sony’s absence in 2019 was particularly notable, given that it is the manufacturer of the world’s best-selling home gaming console, and its absence from E3 2020 was even more noticeable in comparison, considering that a new PlayStation 5 console is anticipated to ship later that year.
Responses
a small troll on Phil Spencer
Phil spencer trying to hype Xbox E3 2020 🌚. pic.twitter.com/lhEXt4ZuOY
— 🌿Zain Zakri 🐾 (@NaughtyDogSA) October 16, 2019
E3 2020 was mostly canceled due to the escalating Covid 19 problem, although Sony’s absence from the event also played some part. The ESA makes clear that the health and safety of the participants and companies are indeed the top priorities.
E3 2021 to be the first digital expo
After the cancellation of E3 2020, and the announcement of IGN's own Summer of Gaming event this June, the ESA has announced dates for a "reimagined" E3 2021.https://t.co/7EwlmLp56o pic.twitter.com/Mg2NQWMG5r
— IGN (@IGN) April 4, 2020
E3 2021 replaces the canceled E3 2020 event, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ESA’s inability to find a replacement event in time.
